Mother convicted of endangering toddler daughter

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) - Jurors convicted a Lompoc mother of child endangerment in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, who was killed by the woman's then-boyfriend.

A day after ex-boyfriend Robert Anthony Garcia Jr. was convicted of murdering the toddler, a Santa Barbara County jury on Thursday found Christana Marie Contreras guilty on the felony charge with a special allegation the child endangerment resulted in death. She was also convicted of bringing drugs into jail.

Prosecutor Megan Baldwin says Contreras, who is pregnant with delivery expected in June, faces probation to 11 years in prison when she's sentenced Aug. 24.

The 36-year-old Garcia was convicted for the February 2008 beating death of Isabella Maria Cortes. He faces 50 years to life in prison when he's sentenced June 1.